Ponytail enhancer

ABSTRACT

A ponytail enhancer includes a head portion with a first radius, a band portion with a second radius, and a tail portion with a third radius. The first radius and the third radius are greater than the second radius. The head portion includes a head resting surface shaped to rest against the back of a human head. The band portion is shaped to allow a ponytail band to fit and stay in place. The tail portion is shaped to add fullness to a ponytail.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from U.S. Pat. No. 6,565,431, entitled“PONYTAIL ENHANCER”, filed on Dec. 3, 2009.

The field of this invention is hair enhancing devices, and in particularponytail enhancing devices.

BACKGROUND

It may be desirable for a person to create the impression that theirhair is fuller and thicker than in its natural state. This mayespecially be true when putting hair in a ponytail as it is moredifficult to create an illusion of full and thick hair when using thisstyle. Creams and jells exist that give hair more fullness, but must beapplied after each shampoo. Techniques to add real or artificial humanhair also are known, such as braiding or pinning hairpieces to existinghair. These hair pieces are generally expensive and it is time consumingand sometimes painful to attach them to existing hair.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A ponytail enhancer includes a head portion with a first radius, a bandportion with a second radius, and a tail portion with a third radius.The first radius and the third radius are greater than the secondradius. The head portion includes a head resting surface shaped to restagainst the back of a human head. The band portion is shaped to allow aponytail band to fit and stay in place. The tail portion is shaped toadd fullness to a ponytail.

A method of creating an enhanced ponytail with a ponytail device,including a head portion, a band portion, and a tail portion, includesseparating hair on a human head into at least two sections. The headportion is rested on the head between the hair sections. Hair is drawnaround the ponytail device and secured with a band placed around thehair and the band portion. Hair is arranged around the tail portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute apart of this specification, illustrate exemplary embodiments or featuresof the disclosure and, together with the description, help explainprinciples of the disclosure. In the drawings,

FIG. 1 depicts a first view of an exemplary embodiment of a ponytaildevice.

FIG. 2 depicts a second view of an exemplary embodiment of a ponytaildevice.

FIG. 3 depicts a second view of an exemplary embodiment of a ponytaildevice.

FIG. 4 depicts a cross section of an exemplary embodiment of a ponytaildevice along line A in FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of an exemplary method of creating a ponytail witha ponytail enhancer.

FIG. 6 depicts a step in an exemplary method of creating a ponytail witha ponytail enhancer.

FIG. 7A depicts a ponytail without a ponytail enhancer.

FIG. 7B depicts a ponytail with an exemplary embodiment of a ponytailenhancer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to specific embodiments orfeatures, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Generally, the same or corresponding reference numbers will beused throughout the drawings to refer to the same or correspondingparts.

Referring now to FIG. 1, an embodiment of a ponytail enhancer 100 isdepicted. The enhancer 100 includes a shape such that when the enhanceris utilized to form a ponytail from hair on a human head, with themethod described below in relation to FIG. 5, such that the hair appearsthicker or fuller. Having thicker than normal human hair is often adesirable quality. The enhancer 100 may aid a human being in creatingthe illusion that their hair is thicker than it actually is.

The enhancer 100 includes a generally asymmetrical hourglassconfiguration. The enhancer 100 includes a head portion 102, a bandportion 104, a tail portion 106, and an outside surface 108. The bandportion 104 is between the head portion 102 and tail portion 106, and isgenerally smaller.

The enhancer 100 may include heights in a direction and widths in adirection perpendicular to the heights as shown in relation for FIG. 2.The enhancer 100 may include an axis X in the direction of heights. Theenhancer 100 may be radially symmetrical is relation to the axis X.Radially symmetrical includes any object which has radial cross sectionswhich are generally identical at any angle degree around an axis.Generally identical includes differences which would be consideredacceptable by an ordinary person skilled in the art now or in thefuture. These differences may, for example, be due to normalmanufacturing tolerances. They may also be due to slight changes indimensions due to environmental issues.

The enhancer 100 may include a flexible or elastic material, such asfoam. For example, the enhancer 100 may include soft closed cell foam.The enhancer 100 may be formed totally of the flexible or elasticmaterial, or portions of the enhancer 100 may be formed of the flexibleor elastic material, with other portions including other materials suchas plastic, wood, or metal. The enhancer 100, or portions of theenhancer 100, may be colored to match hair colors. For example, theenhancer may include, but are not limited to, colors matching blond,brunette, red, black, or grey hair.

The head portion 102 may be shaped and designed to rest comfortably on ahuman head. The head portion 102 may aid in giving an illusion that thehair at the base of a ponytail is thicker.

The head portion 102 includes a head resting surface 110 (seen moreclearly in relation to FIGS. 3 and 4). People have heads of manydifferent shapes and sizes. A person may want to form a ponytail at theback of the head, or in other locations. For example, many people puttheir hair in a ponytail on the top of their head, or on the side. Thehead resting surface 110 may be designed to conform to the shape of ahuman head and the placement of the ponytail, and include a variety ofsizes and shapes. The head resting surface 110 may include flexiblematerial such that the surface 110 conforms more readily to differentshapes and sizes of heads and is more comfortable for the wearer.

The head portion 102 includes a first radius R1. The first radius R1 isthe longest straight line that can be drawn on a cross section of thehead portion 102, the cross section taken perpendicular to the height ofthe enhancer 100, from the center of mass (or center of gravity) of thecross section to the outer surface 108 of the cross section. When theenhancer 100 is radially symmetrical to the axis X, the first radius R1includes a straight line, perpendicular to axis X, from axis X to theoutside surface 108. When the enhancer 100 is radially symmetrical tothe axis X, the center of mass of a cross section of the head portion102 perpendicular to the height may include the point where the axis Xintersects the cross section.

The head portion 102 in the embodiment depicted includes a first end 112(shown more clearly in relation to FIG. 3). The first end 112 may beconvex (shown more clearly in relation to FIGS. 2 and 4). The first end112 may include the head resting surface 110.

The head portion 102 depicted includes a first circular edge 114 and abase 128. The base 128 may begin at the first circular edge 114 and havea height (H4 in FIG. 2). Cross sections of the base 128 perpendicular tothe enhancer 100 height, and axis X in the depicted embodiment, may haveidentical radii.

In the depicted embodiment, cross sections of the head portion 102,perpendicular to axis X, may have increasingly smaller radii moving fromthe base 114 towards the band portion 104.

A band (not shown) may be placed around the enhancer 100 and hair beingmade into a ponytail to secure the hair around the enhancer 100. Theband portion 104 may be shaped and designed to aid in keeping a band inplace.

The band portion 104 includes a second radius R2. The second radius R2is the shortest straight line that can be drawn on a cross section ofthe band portion 104, the cross section taken perpendicular to theheight of the enhancer 100, from the center of mass (or center ofgravity) of the cross section to the outer surface 108 of the crosssection. When the enhancer 100 is radially symmetrical to the axis X,the second radius R2 includes a straight line, perpendicular to axis X,from axis X to the outside surface 108. When the enhancer 100 isradially symmetrical to the axis X, the center of mass of a crosssection of the band portion 104 perpendicular to the height may includethe point where the axis X intersects the cross section. The firstradius R1 has a greater length than the second radius R2.

The band portion 104 may intersect the head portion 102 on a first bandend defining a first intersection plane 120. The band portion 104 mayintersect the tail section 106 on a second band end defining a secondintersection plane 122. The radii of cross sections of the band portion104 moving from the first intersection plane 120 to the secondintersection plane 122 may decrease and then increase. The outsidesurface 108 on the band section 104 may be shaped in a circular arc inthe direction of axis X.

The radius of a cross section of the band portion 104 on the firstintersection plane 120 may equal the radius of a cross section of theband portion 104 on the second intersection plane 122.

The ends of human hair held in place by the band around the band portion104 may be arranged around the tail portion 106. The tail portion 106may aid in creating an illusion that the hair is thicker. In thedepicted embodiment the tail end 106 is generally egg shaped with endscut off.

The tail portion 106 includes a third radius R3. The third radius R3 isthe longest straight line that can be drawn on a cross section of thetail portion 106, the cross section taken perpendicular to the height ofthe enhancer 100, from the center of mass (or center of gravity) of thecross section to the outer surface 108 of the cross section. When theenhancer 100 is radially symmetrical to the axis X, the third radius R3includes a straight line, perpendicular to axis X, from axis X to theoutside surface 108. When the enhancer 100 is radially symmetrical tothe axis X, the center of mass of a cross section of the tail portion106 perpendicular to the height may include the point where the axis Xintersects the cross section. The third radius R3 has a greater lengththan the second radius R2.

The tail portion may include a second end 116 and a second circular edge118. The second end 116 may be convex and include a second center point126. The radii of cross sections of the tail portion 106 moving from thesecond intersection plane 122 to the second end 116 may increase andthen decrease.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a second view of an exemplary embodiment of aponytail enhancer 100 is depicted. The first end 112 may include a firstcenter point 124. The first circular edge may define a first edge plane130. The first circular edge 114 may include a first diameter D1. Firstdiameter D1 may be a straight line on the first edge plane 130. Firstdiameter D1 may start at a point on the first circular edge 114, passthrough the intersection of axis X with the first edge plane 130, andend at an opposite point on the first circular edge 114. In someembodiments, the value of the first diameter D1 may be equal to orgreater than 1.5 inches, and equal to or less than 3.0 inches. In oneembodiment the value of the first diameter D1 may equal 2.25 inches.

A first end angle θ1 may be formed between a line drawn from the firstcenter point 124 and the first diameter D1. In some embodiments, thevalue of the first end angle θ1 may be equal to or greater than 4degrees, and equal to or less than 16 degrees. In one embodiment valueof the first end angle θ1 may include 8 degrees.

The second circular edge 118 may define a second edge plane 132. Thesecond circular edge 118 may include a second diameter D2. Seconddiameter D2 may be a straight line on the second edge plane 132. Seconddiameter D2 may start at a point on the second circular edge 118, passthrough the intersection of axis X with the second edge plane 132, andend at an opposite point on the second circular edge 118. In someembodiments, the value of the second diameter D2 may be equal to orgreater than 0.5 inches, and equal to or less than 1.5 inches. In oneembodiment the value of the second diameter D2 may equal 0.91 inches.

A second end angle θ2 may be formed between a line drawn from the secondcenter point 126 and the second diameter D2. In some embodiments, thevalue of the second end angle θ2 may be equal to or greater than 20degrees, and equal to or less than 40 degrees. In one embodiment valueof the second end angle θ2 may include 31 degrees.

The circular arc formed by the outside surface 108 of the band portion104 may have an arc radius RA. In some embodiments the value of the arcradius RA may be equal to or greater than 0.23 inches, and equal to orless than 0.43 inches. In one embodiment the value of the arc radius RAmay equal 0.33 inches.

The length of a straight line drawn from the first edge plane 130 to thesecond edge plane 132, and perpendicular to both defines a first heightH1. In some embodiments, the value of the first height H1 may be equalto or greater than 1.5 inches, and equal to or less than 2.5 inches. Inone embodiment the value of the first height H1 includes 1.75 inches.

The length of a straight line drawn from the first edge plane 130 to thesecond center point 126, and perpendicular to the first edge plane 130defines a second height H2. In some embodiments, the value of the secondheight H2 may be equal to or greater than 1.25 inches, and equal to orless than 2.25 inches. In one embodiment the value of the second heightH2 includes 1.45 inches.

The length of a straight line drawn from the first edge plane 130 to thefirst center point 124, and perpendicular to the first edge plane 130defines a third height H3. In some embodiments, the value of the thirdheight H3 may be equal to or greater than 0.05 inches, and equal to orless than 0.25 inches. In one embodiment the value of the second heightH2 includes 0.15 inches.

The base 128 may include a first base end 134 and a second base end 136.The first circular edge 114 may include the first base end 134. Astraight line drawn from the first base end 134, to the second base end136, and parallel to the axis X defines a fourth height H4. In someembodiments, the value of the fourth height H4 may be equal to orgreater than 0.03 inches, and equal to or greater than 0.23 inches. Inone embodiment the value of the fourth height H4 includes 0.13 inches.

A cross section of the enhancer 100 on the second intersection plane 122may include a fourth radius R4. In some embodiments, the value of thefourth radius R4 may be equal to or greater than 0.5 inches, and equalto or greater than 1.0 inches. In one embodiment the value of the fourthradius R4 includes 0.625 inches.

A cross section of the enhancer 100 on the first intersection plane 120may include a radius with a value equal to R4.

Referring now to FIG. 3, A third view of an exemplary embodiment of theenhancer 100 is depicted. FIG. 3 is a view of the first end 112 of theenhancer 100. The first end 112 in the depicted embodiment includes thehead resting surface 110, the first circular edge 114, and the firstcenter point 124. The first radius R1 may include a straight line drawnfrom the axis X to the first circular edge 114, perpendicular to theaxis X.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a cross section of an exemplary embodiment ofthe enhancer 100 along the dotted line marked “A” in FIG. 3 is depicted.

Referring now to FIG. 5, an exemplary method of creating an enhancedponytail is depicted in a flow chart. The enhanced ponytail may becreated with the ponytail enhancer 100.

In step 102, hair on a human head is separated into at least two (2)sections. Depending on what type of ponytail is desired and the desiredlocation of the ponytail, more than two sections may be formed.

In step 104, the head portion 102 may be rested between hair sections onthe head. The head resting surface 110 may be directly against the head.This may be at the back of the head as in the depicted embodiment, butmay also be on the top of the head, the side of the head, or anywhere aponytail is desired.

Referring to FIG. 6, a depiction of the enhancer 100 between hairsections, resting on a human head is shown.

Referring back to FIG. 5, in step 106 hair is drawn around the enhancer100. All hair desired in the ponytail may be held in place around thehead portion 102 by a hand at the band portion 104.

In step 108, the hair is secured around the enhancer 100 by sliding aband around the hair and enhancer and securing it around the bandportion 104. Many types of bands may be used. Rubber bands, hair holderbands of elastic material with fibers around it to protect hair, hair“scrunchies”, and ribbons are non-limiting examples of bands that may beused.

In step 110, the hair is arranged around the tail section after beingsecured.

Referring now to FIG. 7A, a ponytail without an enhancer 100 isdepicted. In contrast, FIG. 7B depicts a ponytail with an exemplaryembodiment of an enhancer.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments have been described herein for purposes of illustration,various modifications or variations may be made without deviating fromthe spirit or scope of inventive features claimed herein. Otherembodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art fromconsideration of the specification and figures and practice of thearrangements disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification anddisclosed examples be considered as exemplary only, with a trueinventive scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims andtheir equivalents.

1. A ponytail enhancer, comprising: a head portion including a firstradius and a head resting surface, the head resting surface shaped torest against the back of a human head; a band portion attached to thehead portion and including a second radius, the band portion shaped toallow a ponytail band to fit and stay in place around the band portion,and the second radius less than the first radius, a tail portionincluding a third radius greater than the second radius, the tailportion configured to add fullness to a ponytail.
 2. The ponytailenhancer of claim 1, further comprising an axis, and wherein theenhancer is generally radially symmetrical in relation to the axis. 3.The invention of claim 2, further comprising a first intersection planebetween the head portion and the band portion, and wherein: the headportion includes a first end including a first circular edge, the radiusof the head portion is greatest at the first circular edge, and theradius of the head portion is least at the first intersection plane. 4.The invention of claim 2, further comprising a first intersection planebetween the head portion and the band portion, and a second intersectionplane between the band portion and the tail portion, and wherein theradius of the band portion at the first intersection plane isessentially equal to the radius of the band portion at the secondintersection plant
 5. The ponytail enhancer of claim 1, wherein thefirst radius is greater than the third radius.
 6. The ponytail enhancerof claim 1, further comprising an axis, and wherein the head portionincludes a first end, the first end includes the head resting surfaceand a first circular edge, and the head resting surface is generallyconvex and radially symmetrical in relation to the axis.
 7. The ponytailenhancer of claim 6, wherein: the head resting surface includes a firstcenter point, the first circular edge includes a first diameter, and afirst end angle between a line drawn from the first center point to thefirst circular edge and the first diameter equals a value between 4 and16 degrees.
 8. The ponytail enhancer of claim 1, further including anaxis, and wherein the band portion includes an outside surface, and theoutside surface in the direction of the axis is shaped in a circulararc.
 9. The ponytail enhancer of claim 8, wherein the circular arcincludes an arc radius, the arc radius equal to a value between 0.23 and0.43 inches.
 10. The ponytail enhancer of claim 1, further comprising anaxis, and wherein the tail section includes a second end, the second endincluding a second circular edge and generally convex and radiallysymmetrical in relation to the axis.
 11. The ponytail enhancer of claim10, wherein: the second end includes a second center point, the secondcircular edge includes a second diameter, and a second end angle betweena line drawn from the second center point to the second diameter equalsa value between 20 and 40 degrees.
 12. The ponytail enhancer of claim 1,wherein; the head portion includes a first end including a firstcircular edge, the first circular edge defining a first edge plane; andthe tail portion includes a second end including a second circular edge,the second circular edge defining a second edge plane; and furthercomprising a first height, the first height including a length of astraight line drawn from the first edge plane to the second edge plane,the line normal to the first edge plane and the second edge plane, thelength equaling a value between 1.5 and 2.5 inches.
 13. The ponytailenhancer of claim 1, wherein; the head portion includes a first endincluding a first circular edge, the first circular edge defining afirst edge plane; and the tail portion includes a second end including asecond center point; and further comprising a second height, the secondheight including a length of a straight line drawn from the first edgeplane to the second center point, the line normal to the first edgeplane, the length equaling a value between 1.25 and 2.25 inches.
 14. Theponytail enhancer of claim 1, wherein the head portion includes a firstend including a first circular edge, the first circular edge including adiameter, the first diameter equaling a value between 1.5 and 3.0inches.
 15. The ponytail enhancer of claim 1, wherein the tail portionincludes a second end including a second circular edge, the secondcircular edge including a second diameter, the second diameter equalinga value between 0.5 and 1.5 inches.
 16. The ponytail enhancer of claim1, wherein the head portion includes: a first end, including a firstcircular edge and a first center point, the first circular edgeincluding a first edge plane, and a third height, the third heightincluding a length of a straight line drawn from the first edge plane tothe first center point, the line normal to the first edge plane, thelength equaling a value between 0.05 and 0.25 inches.
 17. The ponytailenhancer of claim 1, further comprising an axis, and wherein the headportion includes a base radially symmetrical in relation to the axis andincluding a base first end, a base second end and a constant baseradius.
 18. The ponytail enhancer of claim 17, wherein the base includesa fourth height, the fourth height including a length of a straight linedrawn parallel to the axis from the base first end to the base secondend, the length equaling a value between 0.03 and 0.23 inches.
 19. Theinvention of claim 1, further comprising a flexible material.
 20. Amethod of creating an enhanced ponytail with a ponytail enhancer, theenhancer including a head portion, a band portion, and a tail portion,comprising: separating hair on a human head into at least two hairsections; resting the head portion on the human head between the atleast two hair sections; drawing the hair around the ponytail device;securing the hair around the ponytail device with a band placed aroundthe band portion and the hair; and arranging hair around the tailportion.